Graphic Nature: Mass Effect 2

Mass Effect 2
Xbox 360 & PC
1 Player
Developer: BioWare
Publisher: EA
ESRB Rating: M for Mature
Price: $59.99 (Xbox 360) $49.00 (PC)

This week the first major release of 2010 hit store shelves and has taken over Xbox and PC gamers everywhere. Continuing the story of Commander Shepard as he tries to save the galaxy from being wiped out by an advanced robotic alien race (The Reapers). However, this time around it seems that Shepard and his crew are going at this alone without the help of the Alliance and the other alien races. The fate of every race in the galaxy now lies in your Cerberus (a not so trusted secret agency) backed hands.

Pros

Story – The story for Mass Effect 2 is in fact MASSIVE. As you progress through you will realize that the folks over at BioWare put a lot time and effort into all of the new characters within this game. I love that they make you earn the respect to the crew by exploring some part of their past. They also did a great job of mixing in elements from the first game and showing them in a new unexpected light.

One of the biggest factors in the way the story plays out from your choices from the first game. This makes for an interesting approach to how you are received on other planets and the way your new conversation choices come about. Now for those of you who don’t know what I am talking about let me give you a quick little idea of how BioWare delivers one hell of a story. Just like the first Mass Effect the player has the ability to choose what Commander Shepard says. Those choices affect how good or bad Shepard comes across all while unlocking new reasoning or intimidation choices. Some of the choices you made in the first game now might come back to haunt you in the second and honestly BioWare has changed the way you game and hopefully other companies will follow suit.

The New Upgrade System – Love it. Finding new weapons and upgrades through out the levels makes you wander around and explore. Yes, you can purchase upgrade your weapons, armor, and biotics at random kiosks, but where is the fun in that? It also helps you aren’t limited to 3-5 specific upgrades that really don’t help you in the end. Now you have the ability to truly customize your character the way you want it, not just facial features and life choices.

Middle Ground

Graphics – As you progress through the game you will realize that it basically looks like first game just a little more polished in some areas. I would say that the cut scenes are where you can really tell that they improved in graphics, however I noticed that characters start to blend in with the background like they are standing in front of a green screen. The more I play through the game the more I feel less impressed by what I am being shown. Both games are basically using Unreal Engine 3 to power them and that hurts Mass Effect 2.

Scanning The Planets – I might be within the selected few here that miss driving around in the Mako searching for points of interest. Also I am spending too many valuable credits on probes when they could be spent on weapon, armor, and biotics upgrades.

Cons

The Cover System – This was one of the main cons from the first game that I was hoping they would fix. I mean come on BioWare someone in your QA department didn’t notice how horrible the cover system was. Through out the game Shepard would break cover while he was firing or trying to biotic throw someone. Also, at random times rocket blasts would push you back from your cover and well you know what that leads to.

AI System – Just like in the first game the AI system within Mass Effect 2 is still pretty bad. Your team members still just walk around in the middle of a firefight causing them to die or for you to waste med gel on them. It also bugs out occasionally and your team members will wind up standing atop a 10 foot platform with no plausible way of getting up there.

No Jump – This is something that I didn’t like the first game lacked. Now I’m not saying I want the ability to jump so I can bunny hope across the level. I mean come on this isn’t Counter-Strike 1.2 here. However, I would like the ability to gain some high vantage points while in the middle of a firefight.

Overall, Mass Effect 2 is a great game for what it is worth. The story has so much depth to it that it carry’s A LOT for the game while other departments lack and fall short. If you played the first game then you know how addicting this game can be. Would I run out to buy it if I didn’t play the first or stopped because I lost interest? No, I would rent it or borrow it from a friend once they have gotten their fix. BUT if you are one of those people who love a well thought out Sci-Fi story or a great story in general then I suggest you buy it. Just remember that ALL of your choices carry some sort of burden.